Nerlens Noel of the Kentucky Wildcats, the No. 1 prospect in college basketball entering the season who tore his anterior cruciate ligament after 24 games, has declared for the NBA draft.
Despite missing the final month of the season and having a six-to-eight month rehabilitation road ahead, Noel said he "is ready for the next step." He is likely right, because he is still considered a lottery pick by most draft experts.
In a statement, Noel said, "I especially appreciate the Big Blue Nation and all of the support, prayers and well-wishes I've received from them during my rehab and decision-making process. I'll always be a Wildcat!"
Noel averaged 10.5 points per game this season, but his biggest impact was defensively and on the glass. He averaged 4.4. blocks per game, best in Division I, and 9.5 rebounds a night. He was voted the SEC's freshman of the year, defensive player of the year, and named to the All-SEC first team.
Otto Porter Jr. of the Georgetown Hoyas is also ready to take a leap into the NBA. Porter Jr. is the eighth-best prospect in the 2013 draft class, according to DraftExpress.com. Porter Jr. scored 16.5 points per game and grabbed 7.5 rebounds a night while recording 2.7 assists.
His field goal percentage dipped a bit from his freshman year, but his 3-point shooting improved greatly. He was a 23 percent shooter from deep his freshman season, and that number jumped to 44 percent as a sophomore; on top of that, he shot 3.3 3-pointers per game as opposed to 1.6 as a diaper dandy. Porter Jr. was a first-team All-American and the Big East player of the year.
A third, lesser-known prospect has declared for the NBA draft--Maryland center Alex Len. The seven feet, one inch sophomore center averaged 11.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks a night. He battled inconsistency in his short Terrapins career, but DraftExpress.com has Len listed as the 12th-best prospect in the class.
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